Teddy Prochazka and Roger Gradney to Miss 2024 Season Due to Knee Injuries
Nebraska will be without a key veteran offensive lineman this season, as Junior offensive tackle Teddy Prochazka tore his ACL early in Monday’s practice, head coach Matt Rhule announced on Tuesday. This injury affects the opposite knee from the one Prochazka previously injured. Prochazka had returned from an offseason injury last year and played in 10 games, starting six at left tackle. He stepped in for veteran Turner Corcoran last season after Corcoran suffered a season-ending injury. Prochazka had also started three games in 2022 before missing the rest of the season due to injury.
With Prochazka sidelined, Nebraska will rely on Corcoran at left tackle, along with redshirt freshman Gunnar Gottula, who made the two-deep roster at tackle last season. “We have a lot of guys we trust,” said Rhule. “We can play with Turner, who started a lot of games last year before his injury. Gunnar Gottula is also running with the first team now, so we have options.”
Prochazka sustained the injury during one of the first plays of practice on Monday, when his knee buckled while he was engaged with another player on the grass field. Initially, it appeared to be a minor issue, but it was later confirmed to be more serious. Corcoran, who has 31 starts under his belt, was cleared to fully participate this summer after recovering from last season’s foot injury. He had been working with the top unit during Saturday’s scrimmage, even before Prochazka’s injury. “He rolled his ankle slightly during the scrimmage, but he’s been doing well since his return,” Rhule said. “He’s been fully active all summer.”
Rhule also confirmed that freshman linebacker Roger Gradney will miss the season after tearing his ACL during Saturday’s open practice at Memorial Stadium. The injury occurred during a special teams drill and was non-contact. Gradney, a four-star prospect who enrolled at Nebraska in January, had begun his career as a linebacker. Rhule has expressed his excitement about Gradney’s potential.
“Obviously, our hearts go out to both of them,” Rhule said after Tuesday’s practice. “Especially for Teddy—this is his fourth surgery. It’s a tough time for him, but he’s shown an incredible attitude. He was in the team meeting last night, embodying everything we believe in. He’ll be a great mentor for Roger, but it’s a difficult situation.”
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